Senior Level Head of Philanthropy Jobs
Senior level head of philanthropy jobs place experienced fundraising leaders in charge of institutional giving strategy, major gift programs, and the development teams that execute them. Roles in this space are predominantly on-site and hybrid across Healthcare & Medical Services, Education, and Science & Research, with organizations like City of Hope, Gladstone Institutes, and Northern Light Health hiring at this level now.
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Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is Louisiana’s leading cancer care organization, caring for more patients each year than any other facility in the region. And with strategic hospital and physician partnerships, we are delivering on our mission to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer.
Mary Bird Perkins and its partners work together to provide state-of-the-art treatments and unparalleled collaborative, comprehensive cancer services. This culture of innovation helps attract the best cancer minds in the country, from expert physicians and highly specialized scientists to forward-thinking leaders in supportive care and other disciplines.
Together, with our hospital and physician partners, we are one-hundred percent focused on cancer care.
Why Join Us? We are looking for talented and highly-motivated individuals who demonstrate a natural desire to support the meaningful work of community oncologists and the patients we serve.
Job Description:
SCOPE: The Vice President & Chief Philanthropy Officer provides strategic leadership for the entire philanthropy enterprise and is accountable for total organizational revenue, financial stewardship, team culture, and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Foundation's path to lasting financial strength. Setting multi-year fundraising strategy across all programs and initiatives, the VP/CPO fosters a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization and ensures every fundraising effort reflects the mission, vision and values of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.
As a member of the Cancer Center's Senior Management Team, the VP/CPO serves as the President & CEO's principal adviser and partner on all matters of philanthropy and advancement. The VP/CPO leads the organization's highest-level donor relationships across a focused portfolio of major ($50K+) and principal-level gifts, while maintaining strategic oversight of the entire philanthropy program. In close collaboration with the President & CEO, the VP/CPO establishes clear performance benchmarks, monitors progress and ensures the philanthropy strategy delivers measurable impact aligned with institutional priorities.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
-
Sets and leads overall philanthropy strategy for all programs and initiatives, demonstrates financial stewardship, and drives organizational revenue and team performance
-
Serves as Primary Liaison and Partner to Foundation Board of Directors, fostering board engagement in fundraising
-
Maintains a focused personal portfolio of major ($50K+) and principal-level gift prospects, leading the organization's most complex, high-value donor relationships
-
Directs hiring, development and performance of the philanthropy team, fostering a culture of philanthropy across the organization
-
Serves as a member of the Cancer Center's Senior Management Team, contributing to organizational planning and institutional priorities
-
Leads strategic initiatives and special projects advancing Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Foundation's mission and long-term financial strength
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree or CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) preferred
- Minimum of ten years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience required, including five or more years in senior leadership with full program oversight and verifiable personal solicitation and successful closing of major and principal gifts
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is Louisiana’s leading cancer care organization, caring for more patients each year than any other facility in the region. And with strategic hospital and physician partnerships, we are delivering on our mission to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer.
Mary Bird Perkins and its partners work together to provide state-of-the-art treatments and unparalleled collaborative, comprehensive cancer services. This culture of innovation helps attract the best cancer minds in the country, from expert physicians and highly specialized scientists to forward-thinking leaders in supportive care and other disciplines.
Together, with our hospital and physician partners, we are one-hundred percent focused on cancer care.
Why Join Us? We are looking for talented and highly-motivated individuals who demonstrate a natural desire to support the meaningful work of community oncologists and the patients we serve.
Job Description:
SCOPE: The Vice President & Chief Philanthropy Officer provides strategic leadership for the entire philanthropy enterprise and is accountable for total organizational revenue, financial stewardship, team culture, and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Foundation's path to lasting financial strength. Setting multi-year fundraising strategy across all programs and initiatives, the VP/CPO fosters a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization and ensures every fundraising effort reflects the mission, vision and values of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.
As a member of the Cancer Center's Senior Management Team, the VP/CPO serves as the President & CEO's principal adviser and partner on all matters of philanthropy and advancement. The VP/CPO leads the organization's highest-level donor relationships across a focused portfolio of major ($50K+) and principal-level gifts, while maintaining strategic oversight of the entire philanthropy program. In close collaboration with the President & CEO, the VP/CPO establishes clear performance benchmarks, monitors progress and ensures the philanthropy strategy delivers measurable impact aligned with institutional priorities.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
-
Sets and leads overall philanthropy strategy for all programs and initiatives, demonstrates financial stewardship, and drives organizational revenue and team performance
-
Serves as Primary Liaison and Partner to Foundation Board of Directors, fostering board engagement in fundraising
-
Maintains a focused personal portfolio of major ($50K+) and principal-level gift prospects, leading the organization's most complex, high-value donor relationships
-
Directs hiring, development and performance of the philanthropy team, fostering a culture of philanthropy across the organization
-
Serves as a member of the Cancer Center's Senior Management Team, contributing to organizational planning and institutional priorities
-
Leads strategic initiatives and special projects advancing Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Foundation's mission and long-term financial strength
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree or CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) preferred
- Minimum of ten years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience required, including five or more years in senior leadership with full program oversight and verifiable personal solicitation and successful closing of major and principal gifts
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Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Education
- Science & Research
- Banking & Financial Services
Senior Level Head of Philanthropy Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a senior level head of philanthropy job?
Employers at this level look for a demonstrated history of closing major gifts, building donor pipelines, and leading development staff through complex campaigns. What gives candidates an edge is the ability to align fundraising strategy with organizational mission at the executive level, present confidently to boards, and show measurable growth in giving programs they have directly led.
Which companies hire senior level head of philanthropys?
Companies hiring senior level head of philanthropys right now include City of Hope, Gladstone Institutes, and Northern Light Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Hiring at this level tends to concentrate in nonprofit organizations, healthcare systems, universities, and large foundations with active capital campaigns or endowment goals.
Are there remote senior level head of philanthropy jobs?
Yes, though many roles at this level still require in-person presence for donor relations and board engagement. About 25% of senior level head of philanthropy openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with hybrid arrangements being more common than fully remote at this seniority given the relationship-driven nature of major gift work.
What makes a head of philanthropy role senior level?
Senior level roles carry ownership of the entire philanthropic function, including setting multi-year fundraising goals, managing a team of development officers, stewarding a portfolio of major and principal gift donors, and reporting directly to a CEO or board. They are distinguished from mid-level roles by strategic authority, budget responsibility, and an expectation to mentor and develop junior fundraising staff.
Which industries hire the most senior level head of philanthropys?
Senior Level head of philanthropy roles concentrate in Healthcare & Medical Services, Education, and Science & Research, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive hiring at this level because they depend on philanthropic revenue to fund core programs, capital projects, or research missions that cannot be fully supported through earned income alone.